For those here who are members of OCA parishes: What do the faithful in your parish think about this issue? Is this all just something going on in the Synod, or were the laypeople and parish clergy also discontent with Met. Jonah's leadership? Would they prefer to keep him?
As the Orthodox Church is universal, it is just as much local. At least that is how it is in my parish. Of course we care about the primate of our Church, but he is a bit removed. It is our own parish and diocese, our own bishop and priests that have an impact on us. We are in the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, this was once the diocese of the primate of the OCA, and I guess the Metropolia, but now that is Washington DC.
It seemed to be a relief when we became smaller. We, as a parish, do not even concern ourselves with the Diocese of Washington, it is as if the OCA is there now, and not here. For the most part, the bishop who is Primate, is more important to the other bishops of the OCA, and to the people in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, than to the people of other diocese.
I do not know why the bishops asked His Beatitude to step down, but it is their right and duty to do so if needed. It is not that we are people with our heads in the sand, so to speak, it is that there are more important matters for our parish.